Controlling process for refrigerator

ABSTRACT

A method of controlling a refrigerator is provided in which a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber may be cooled at the same time the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber may be cooled sequentially, and a refrigerant recovery may then be performed. Accordingly, upon initial start-up of the refrigerator, a temperature within each chamber may be cooled more rapidly through simultaneous cooling. Further, when a compressor is actuated again after being off, refrigerant may be supplied to each evaporator smoothly through the refrigerant recovery. Accordingly, cooling performance of a freezing cycle may be improved.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method of controlling a refrigeratorand, more particularly, to a method of controlling a refrigerator, inwhich, after a simultaneous operation for cooling a refrigeratingchamber and a freezing chamber, refrigerant recovery is performed, sothat subsequent cooling of the refrigerating chamber or the freezingchamber can be performed more efficiently.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, a refrigerator includes a compressor, a condenser forcondensing refrigerant compressed in the compressor, an expansion valvefor expanding the refrigerant condensed in the condenser, an evaporatorfor evaporating the refrigerant expanded in the expansion valve, and aventilation fan for ventilating the air through the evaporator in orderto improve the evaporation efficiency of the refrigerant introduced intothe evaporator.

In this case, when the compressor is driven again after being stopped,the refrigerator performs a refrigerant recovery operation for gatheringrefrigerant toward the compressor in order to minimize the refrigerantaccumulated in the pipeline or the evaporator.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of controllinga refrigerator, in which, after a simultaneous operation for cooling arefrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber, refrigerant recovery isperformed, so that subsequent cooling of the refrigerating chamber orthe freezing chamber can be performed more efficiently.

Technical Solution

The present invention provides a method of controlling a refrigerator,including the steps of preparing a main body partitioned into arefrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber, a refrigerating chamberevaporator disposed in the refrigerating chamber, a freezing chamberevaporator disposed in the freezing chamber, a compressor for supplyingrefrigerant to the refrigerating chamber evaporator and the freezingchamber evaporator; and a 3-way valve for controlling the refrigerantintroduced from the compressor to the freezing chamber evaporator andthe refrigerating chamber evaporator, checking temperatures of therefrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber and determining asimultaneous operation condition of the refrigerating chamber and thefreezing chamber, after the determination of the simultaneous operationcondition, determining a refrigerating chamber operation condition,after the determination of the refrigerating chamber operationcondition, determining a freezing chamber operation condition, and afterthe determination of the freezing chamber operation condition,determining a refrigerant recovery operation condition for recoveringthe refrigerant from at least one of the refrigerating chamberevaporator and the freezing chamber evaporator.

In this case, when the temperatures of the refrigerating chamber and thefreezing chamber satisfy the simultaneous operation condition, therefrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber can be cooled at the sametime. After the determination of the freezing chamber operationcondition, the freezing chamber can be cooled, and after thedetermination of the refrigerant recovery condition, the 3-way valve canbe closed and the compressor can be driven in order to recover therefrigerant toward the compressor. In particular, the method can furtherinclude the step of, in the case of the refrigerating chamber operationcondition after the refrigerant recovery step, opening a refrigeratingchamber evaporator-side valve of the 3-way valve and cooling therefrigerating chamber.

Further, if the refrigerant recovery condition is determined, the 3-wayvalve can be closed and the compressor can be driven in order to recoverthe refrigerant toward the compressor.

A method of controlling a refrigerator in accordance with another aspectof the present invention can include the steps of preparing a main bodypartitioned into a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber, arefrigerating chamber evaporator disposed in the refrigerating chamber,a freezing chamber evaporator disposed in the freezing chamber, acompressor for supplying refrigerant to the refrigerating chamberevaporator and the freezing chamber evaporator; and a 3-way valve forcontrolling the refrigerant introduced from the compressor to thefreezing chamber evaporator and the refrigerating chamber evaporator,checking temperatures of the refrigerating chamber and the freezingchamber and determining a simultaneous operation condition of therefrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber, after the determinationof the simultaneous operation condition, determining a freezing chamberoperation condition, and after the determination of the freezing chamberoperation condition, determining a refrigerant recovery operationcondition for recovering the refrigerant from at least one of therefrigerating chamber evaporator and the freezing chamber evaporator.

After the determination of the freezing chamber operation condition, thefreezing chamber can be cooled, and after the determination of therefrigerant recovery condition, the 3-way valve can be closed and thecompressor can be driven in order to recover the refrigerant toward thecompressor. After the refrigerant recovery step, the step of determiningthe refrigerating chamber operation condition can be further included.

Further, if the refrigerant recovery condition is determined, the stepof closing the 3-way valve and driving the compressor in order torecover the refrigerant toward the compressor can be further performed.

In particular, when the temperatures of the refrigerating chamber andthe freezing chamber satisfy the simultaneous operation condition, therefrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber can be cooled at the sametime.

A method of controlling a refrigerator in accordance with still anotheraspect of the present invention can include the steps of preparing amain body partitioned into a refrigerating chamber and a freezingchamber, a refrigerating chamber evaporator disposed in therefrigerating chamber, a freezing chamber evaporator disposed in thefreezing chamber, a compressor for supplying refrigerant to therefrigerating chamber evaporator and the freezing chamber evaporator;and a 3-way valve for controlling the refrigerant introduced from thecompressor to the freezing chamber evaporator and the refrigeratingchamber evaporator, checking temperatures of the refrigerating chamberand the freezing chamber and operating the refrigerating chamber and thefreezing chamber at the same time, after the simultaneous operation ofthe refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber, cooling therefrigerating chamber, after the cooling of the refrigerating chamber,cooling the freezing chamber, and after the cooling of the freezingchamber, recovering the refrigerant from at least one of therefrigerating chamber evaporator and the freezing chamber evaporator.

A method of controlling a refrigerator in accordance with still anotheraspect of the present invention can include the steps of preparing amain body partitioned into a refrigerating chamber and a freezingchamber, a refrigerating chamber evaporator disposed in therefrigerating chamber, a freezing chamber evaporator disposed in thefreezing chamber, a compressor for supplying refrigerant to therefrigerating chamber evaporator and the freezing chamber evaporator;and a 3-way valve for controlling the refrigerant introduced from thecompressor to the freezing chamber evaporator and the refrigeratingchamber evaporator, checking temperatures of the refrigerating chamberand the freezing chamber and operating the refrigerating chamber and thefreezing chamber at the same time, after the simultaneous operation ofthe refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber, cooling the freezingchamber, and after the cooling of the freezing chamber, recovering therefrigerant from at least one of the refrigerating chamber evaporatorand the freezing chamber evaporator.

Advantageous Effects

According to the method of controlling the refrigerator in accordancewith the present invention, the refrigerating chamber and the freezingchamber are cooled at the same time, one and the other of therefrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber are cooled sequentially,and refrigerant recovery is then performed. Thus, at the time of aninitial start-up of the refrigerator, a temperature within each chambercan be cooled more rapidly through simultaneous cooling and, when thecompressor is driven again after being off, refrigerant can be suppliedto each evaporator smoothly through a the refrigerant recovery step.Accordingly, there is an advantage in that the cooling performance of afreezing cycle can be improved.

Further, according to the method of controlling the refrigerator inaccordance with the present invention, after simultaneous cooling of therefrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber is performed and therefrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber are then cooledsequentially, refrigerant recovery is carried out. Accordingly, thereare advantages in that the cooling performance of a cooling cycle can beimproved because refrigerant can be introduced into the refrigeratingchamber and the freezing chamber effectively and refrigerant can also berecovered effectively because refrigerant recovery is performed afterthe freezing chamber is cooled.

Moreover, according to the method of controlling the refrigerator inaccordance with the present invention, when refrigerant is recovered,the refrigerating chamber fan or the freezing chamber fan is actuated.Accordingly, there is an advantage in that refrigerant recovery isperformed smoothly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a refrigerator in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the inside of the refrigerator shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing respective apparatuses of therefrigerator shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a configuration of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method of controlling the refrigeratorin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation process of the refrigeratorin accordance with the present embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a method of controlling a refrigerator inaccordance with another aspect of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 a flowchart showing an operation process of the refrigeratorshown in FIG. 7.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described in detail in connection withpreferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a refrigerator in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view showing theinside of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1 or 2, the refrigerator in accordance with the presentinvention includes a main body 40 provided with a freezing chamber 31and a refrigerating chamber 32, and doors 35L and 35R hinged to the mainbody 40 and configured to open/close the freezing chamber 31 and therefrigerating chamber 32, respectively.

Here, the freezing chamber 31 and the refrigerating chamber 32 areseparated from each other by a barrier rib 33 disposed in the main body40 in order to prevent cooling air within each chamber from flowingthrough the chamber on the other side. A freezing chamber evaporator anda refrigerating chamber evaporator for cooling respective spaces aredisposed in the freezing chamber 31 and the refrigerating chamber 32,respectively.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing respective apparatuses of therefrigerator shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 shows a configuration of therefrigerator shown in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 3 or 4, the refrigerator in accordance with the presentembodiment includes a compressor 100, a condenser 110 for condensingrefrigerant compressed in the compressor 100, a freezing chamberevaporator 124 configured to evaporate the refrigerant condensed in thecondenser 110 and disposed in the freezing chamber 31, a refrigeratingchamber evaporator 122 configured to evaporate the refrigerant condensedin the condenser 110 and disposed in the refrigerating chamber 32, a3-way valve 130 for supplying the refrigerant condensed in the condenser110 to the refrigerating chamber evaporator 122 or the freezing chamberevaporator 124, a refrigerating chamber expansion valve 132 forexpanding the refrigerant supplied to the refrigerating chamberevaporator 122, and a freezing chamber expansion valve 134 for expandingthe refrigerant supplied to the freezing chamber evaporator 124.

Here, the refrigerating chamber 32 is equipped with a refrigeratingchamber fan 142 for improving the heat exchange efficiency of therefrigerating chamber evaporator 122 and circulating the air within therefrigerating chamber 32. Further, the freezing chamber 31 is equippedwith a freezing chamber fan 144 for improving the heat exchangeefficiency of the freezing chamber evaporator 124 and circulating theair within the freezing chamber 31.

Further, a check valve 150 for preventing the introduction of therefrigerant of the freezing chamber evaporator 124 is disposed on thedischarge side of the refrigerating chamber evaporator 122.

The 3-way valve 130 can be opened/closed in order to select the flowpassage of the refrigerant supplied from the condenser 110. The 3-wayvalve 130 can open or close either the refrigerating chamber expansionvalve 132 or the freezing chamber expansion valve 134.

Here, the refrigerating chamber-side flow passage of the 3-way valve 130is called a “R valve 131”, a freezing chamber-side flow passage iscalled a “F valve 133”, the opening/closing of the refrigeratingchamber-side flow passage are called on/off of the R valve 131, and theopening/closing of the freezing chamber-side flow passage are calledon/off of the F valve 133.

Meanwhile, although the 3-way valve has been disposed in the presentembodiment, an opening/closing valve can be disposed in each ofpipelines connected to the refrigerating chamber/freezing chamberevaporators 122 and 124, instead of the 3-way valve.

Hereinafter, a method of controlling the refrigerator in accordance withthe present invention is described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3to 6.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method of controlling the refrigeratorin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is aflowchart showing an operation process of the refrigerator in accordancewith the present embodiment.

First, when power source is applied to the refrigerator, the controller(not shown) of the refrigerator senses temperatures of the refrigeratingchamber 32 and the freezing chamber 31. The controller determines asimultaneous operation condition by comparing temperatures, sensed inthe freezing chamber 31 and the refrigerating chamber 32, and targettemperature regions within the respective chambers (S10).

If, as a result of the determination, the temperature within eachchamber is higher than the target temperature region of each chamber bya predetermined temperature or more, the controller calculates loadwithin each chamber according to a temperature difference and thenactuates the compressor 100.

In this case, in the simultaneous operation of the freezing chamber 31and the refrigerating chamber 32, the controller opens both the R valve131 and the F valve 133 of the 3-way valve 130 upon initial start-upsuch that the freezing chamber 31 and the refrigerating chamber 32 arecooled at the same time. Accordingly, refrigerant is supplied to boththe refrigerating chamber evaporator 122 and the freezing chamberevaporator 124 (S15).

In particular, the simultaneous operation can be performed upon initialstart-up of the refrigerator or when the refrigerator is actuated againafter electrical power failure.

Further, after the simultaneous operation condition is determined (S10),the controller senses a temperature of the refrigerating chamber 32 anddetermines a refrigerating chamber operation condition based on thesensed temperature (S20).

If, as a result of the determination, the sensed temperature of therefrigerating chamber is higher than the target temperature region ofthe refrigerating chamber by a predetermined temperature or more, thecontroller determines the refrigerating chamber operation condition, andintroduces refrigerant into the refrigerating chamber evaporator 122 inorder to cool the refrigerating chamber 32 (S25).

After the refrigerating chamber operation condition is determined (S20),the controller senses a temperature of the freezing chamber 31 anddetermines a freezing chamber operation condition based on the sensedtemperature (S30).

If, as a result of the determination, the sensed temperature of thefreezing chamber is higher than the target temperature region of thefreezing chamber by a predetermined temperature or more, the controllerdetermines the freezing chamber operation condition and introducesrefrigerant into the freezing chamber evaporator 124 in order to coolthe freezing chamber 31 (S35).

After the freezing chamber operation condition is determined (S30), thecontroller determines a refrigerant recovery condition (S40).

For example, after the freezing chamber is cooled, when temperatures ofthe freezing chamber 31 and the refrigerating chamber 32 meet the targettemperature regions within respective chambers, the controller turns offthe compressor 100, but recovers the refrigerants of the refrigeratingchamber evaporator 122 and the freezing chamber evaporator 124 on thecompressor side before the compressor 100 is off. Accordingly, when thecompressor 100 is subsequently operated again, the refrigerant can besupplied to any one of the evaporators 122 and 124 smoothly.

If, as a result of the determination, the refrigerant recovery conditionis satisfied, the controller performs a refrigerant recovery step ofrecovering the refrigerants of the refrigerating chamber evaporator 122and the freezing chamber evaporator 124 (S45).

Here, the refrigerant recovery step is performed in order to smoothlysupply refrigerant to the refrigerating chamber evaporator 122 or thefreezing chamber evaporator 124 when the compressor 100 is operatedagain after being off.

For example, if the operation of the compressor 100 is finished afterthe freezing chamber 31 is cooled, refrigerant supplied to the freezingchamber evaporator 124 remains intact and is slowly evaporated by atemperature change within the chamber. Further, a temperature of therefrigerating chamber evaporator 122 to which the refrigerant has notbeen supplied rises slowly. Accordingly, there occurs a pressuredifference between the refrigerating chamber evaporator 122 and thefreezing chamber evaporator 124.

In this case, an internal pressure of the freezing chamber evaporator124 becomes lower than that of the refrigerating chamber evaporator 122.Accordingly, although refrigerant is supplied to the refrigeratingchamber evaporator 122 in order to cool the refrigerating chamber 32when the compressor 100 is operated for cooling of the refrigeratingchamber 32, the refrigerant supplied to the refrigerating chamberevaporator 122 is discharged by the pressure difference between theevaporators 122 and 124 and then moves to the freezing chamberevaporator 124. Furthermore, the refrigerant does not move to therefrigerating chamber evaporator 122 smoothly due to pressure imbalancebetween the freezing chamber evaporator 124 and the refrigeratingchamber evaporator 122.

In particular, such pressure imbalance between the refrigerating chamberevaporator 122 and the freezing chamber evaporator 124 is usuallygenerated when the refrigerating chamber 32 is cooled after the freezingchamber 31 is cooled. It is preferred that refrigerant recovery beperformed after the freezing chamber 31 is cooled.

Further, the refrigerant recovery process of the refrigerator inaccordance with the present embodiment is performed in such a way as toclose both the R valve and the F valve by controlling the 3-way valve130, while the compressor 100 is being operated, and drive the freezingchamber fan 144 at low speed.

If the discharge sides of the 3-way valve 130 are all closed,refrigerant is not supplied to the refrigerating chamber/freezingchamber evaporators 122 and 124. The freezing chamber fan 144 of thefreezing chamber evaporator 124, which has been cooled before therefrigerant recovery, is actuated in a state where the supply of therefrigerant to the refrigerating chamber/freezing chamber evaporators122 and 124 is cut off.

At this time, when the freezing chamber fan 144 is actuated, refrigerantremaining within the freezing chamber evaporator 124 is evaporated and apressure within the freezing chamber evaporator 124 rises due to heatexchange. Consequently, the refrigerant of the freezing chamberevaporator 124 moves toward the compressor 100.

Further, since the refrigerating chamber evaporator 122 has not beenoperated before refrigerant recovery, the pressure of the refrigeratingchamber evaporator 122 is higher than that of the freezing chamberevaporator 124 although the refrigerating chamber fan 142 is notadditionally operated. Further, when the compressor 100 is actuated,refrigerant remaining within the refrigerating chamber evaporator 122moves toward the compressor 100 smoothly.

If the compressor 100 is driven in this state, most of the refrigerantremaining in the pipeline, which connects the 3-way valve 130, theexpansion valves 132 and 134, and the refrigerating chamber/freezingchamber evaporators 122 and 124, and from the refrigeratingchamber/freezing chamber evaporators 122 and 124 to the compressor 100,is stored between the discharge side of the compressor 100 and the 3-wayvalve 130.

In particular, in the present embodiment, upon recovery of refrigerant,the freezing chamber fan 144 is driven in a state where the condenserfan 112 for ventilating the air into the condenser 110 is being stopped.

In this case, such driving of the condenser fan 112 causes to raise aninternal pressure on the condenser (110) side. This is because whenrecovering refrigerant, an adverse effect is generated.

After the recovery of the refrigerant is completed, the R valve and theF valve of the 3-way valve 130 are opened. Meanwhile, in the presentembodiment, refrigerant recovery is performed after the freezing chamber31 is cooled and driving of the freezing chamber fan 144 has beendescribed as an example. However, in the case in which refrigerantrecovery is performed after the refrigerating chamber 32 is cooled, therefrigerating chamber fan 142 can be driven.

Further, in the case in which refrigerant recovery is performed aftersimultaneous cooling of the freezing chamber 31 and the refrigeratingchamber 32, both the refrigerating chamber fan 142 and the freezingchamber fan 144 can be driven.

Further, in the case in which at least one of the refrigerating chamberfan 142 and the freezing chamber fan 144 is driven to performrefrigerant recovery, there is an effect that air circulation of thefreezing chamber 31 and the refrigerating chamber 32 is performed at thesame time.

Meanwhile, in the case in which the condenser fan 112 disposed for heatexchange of the condenser 110 is driven at low speed, there are problemsthat not only resonance of the refrigerator is caused, but also noisegenerated when the condenser fan 112 is driven diffuses into the roombecause a machine chamber (not shown) in which the condenser 110 isdisposed communicates with the room.

On the other hand, in the case in which the refrigerating chamber fan142 or the freezing chamber fan 144 is driven, there is an additionaladvantage in that a drain of noise can be prevented because therefrigerating chamber fan 142 or the freezing chamber fan 144 isdisposed within the main body 40 of the refrigerator.

Meanwhile, it is most preferred that, as shown in FIG. 6, therefrigerating chamber 32 is cooled (S25) after simultaneous cooling(S15) of the freezing chamber 31 and the refrigerating chamber 32, thefreezing chamber 31 is cooled (S35) after the cooling of therefrigerating chamber 32, and refrigerant recovery is performed (S45)after the cooling of the freezing chamber 31.

In this case, the cooling efficiency within each chamber can be the bestwhen a temperature of each chamber is cooled up to a temperature closeto a target temperature region within each chamber or an upper limittemperature of a target temperature region through the simultaneouscooling (S15), the refrigerating chamber 32 is cooled less than a lowerlimit temperature of the target temperature region, the freezing chamber31 is cooled below a lower limit temperature of the target temperatureregion, and refrigerant recovery is carried out after the cooling of thefreezing chamber 31.

This is because, in the case in which the refrigerating chamber 32 hasto be cooled under a temperature condition within each chamber after therefrigerant recovery step (S45) is performed and the compressor is off,recovered refrigerant can be supplied to the refrigerating chamber 32more conveniently.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a method of controlling a refrigerator inaccordance with another aspect of the present invention. FIG. 8 aflowchart showing an operation process of the refrigerator shown in FIG.7.

In the method of controlling the refrigerator in accordance with thepresent embodiment, a freezing chamber operation condition is determined(S120) after a simultaneous operation condition is determined (S10), arefrigerating chamber operation condition is determined (S130) after thedetermination (S120) of the freezing chamber operation condition, and arefrigerant recovery condition is determined (S40) after thedetermination (S130) of the refrigerating chamber operation condition130, unlike the above embodiment.

Here, an operation process of the refrigerator in accordance with thepresent embodiment is described below. The freezing chamber 31 is cooled(S125) after simultaneous cooling (S10) of each chamber, therefrigerating chamber 32 is cooled (S135) after the cooling of thefreezing chamber 31, and refrigerant is recovered (S45) after thecooling of the refrigerating chamber 32, so that the refrigeratingchamber 32 is cooled before refrigerant recovery. Accordingly, atemperature of the refrigerating chamber 32 can become an optimal state.

The remaining constructions are similar to those of the above embodimentand detailed description thereof is omitted.

Moreover, the present invention is not limited to the disclosedembodiments and drawings, but can be modified by those skilled in theart within the scope and spirit of the invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention can be used in refrigerators, which can performcooling more efficiently with respective to subsequent cooling of therefrigerating chamber or the freezing chamber by performing recovery ofrefrigerant after a simultaneous cooling operation is performed on therefrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of controlling a refrigeratorcomprising a main body partitioned into a refrigerating chamber and afreezing chamber, a refrigerating chamber evaporator disposed in therefrigerating chamber, a freezing chamber evaporator disposed in thefreezing chamber, a compressor that supplies refrigerant to therefrigerating chamber evaporator and the freezing chamber evaporator,and a 3-way valve that controls the refrigerant introduced from thecompressor to the freezing chamber evaporator and the refrigeratingchamber evaporator, the method comprising: checking temperatures of therefrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber, and operating therefrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber simultaneously; afteroperating the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chambersimultaneously, cooling the refrigerating chamber; after the cooling therefrigerating chamber, cooling the freezing chamber; and after thecooling the freezing chamber, recovering refrigerant from at least oneof the refrigerating chamber evaporator or the freezing chamberevaporator.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein recoveringrefrigerant includes driving a freezing chamber fan at a low speed. 3.The method according to claim 1, wherein recovering refrigerant includesclosing the 3-way valve and driving the compressor to direct therecovered refrigerant toward the compressor.
 4. A method for controllinga refrigerator comprising a main body partitioned into a refrigeratingchamber and a freezing chamber, a refrigerating chamber evaporatordisposed in the refrigerating chamber, a freezing chamber evaporatordisposed in the freezing chamber, a compressor that supplies refrigerantto the refrigerating chamber evaporator and the freezing chamberevaporator and a 3-way valve that controls the refrigerant introducedfrom the compressor to the freezing chamber evaporator and therefrigerating chamber evaporator, the method comprising: checkingtemperatures of the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber andoperating the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chambersimultaneously; after simultaneously operating the refrigerating chamberand the freezing chamber, cooling the freezing chamber; and after thecooling of the freezing chamber, recovering refrigerant from at leastone of the refrigerating chamber evaporator or the freezing chamberevaporator.
 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein recoveringrefrigerant includes driving a freezing chamber fan at a low speed. 6.The method according to claim 4, wherein recovering refrigerant includesclosing the 3-way valve and driving the compressor to direct recoveredrefrigerant toward the compressor.